Richmond was made to work until the end for its 38-point win over West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

In a scrap that failed to reach any great heights as a spectacle, the Tigers did what they needed to and continued their push for finals, winning 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60) and climbing to 11th on the ladder.

Collectively, it wasn't a performance that fired a warning shot to their competitors in the race for the eight, but it included some brilliant individual performances that could prove significant in the Tigers' run home.

Speedster Daniel Rioli was a game-breaker off half-back, using a licence to attack to repeatedly set up forward thrusts and finishing with a game-high 31 disposals and a massive 17 handball receives.

Key defender Noah Balta, meanwhile, handled star Eagle Oscar Allen and kept him without a possession in the first half before the key forward fought back to kick three goals in the most entertaining battle within the game.

Ultimately, the Tigers' class players and collective experience split the game open either side of half-time, kicking a run of six unanswered goals to open a 47-point lead halfway through the third term.

The Eagles kept grinding away and reduced that back to 25 late in the final quarter before Richmond stars Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin added the final flourishes for their team with late goals.  

Both midfield stars look to be in ominous form now for the Tigers, with each racking up 23 disposals and two goals, with inaccuracy costing both a bigger haul.

Tim Taranto continued his fantastic season with 27 touches and a game-high eight clearances, while Jacob Hopper made it a strong outing for the pair of former Greater Western Sydney onballers, racking up 25 and seven clearances.

While percentage may not seem necessary for the Tigers (99.8) after their draw earlier this season, they could find themselves in a battle for a top-eight spot with Carlton (111.4) and Sydney (110.3), who have also drawn this season.

The return of some experience for the Eagles and their ability to scrap admirably and fight for everything on Sunday, probably cost Richmond a chance at a significant boost. 

The Eagles were best served by midfielders Tim Kelly (27 and 12 inside 50s) and Dom Sheed (28 and five clearances), while Andrew Gaff impressed after an early injection as the substitute.  

Bolton happy at home

Richmond star Shai Bolton loves playing in Perth. The Western Australian speedster, who produced one of the great individual quarters of this season back in round 13 against Fremantle, returned to Optus Stadium for his seventh game at the venue and continues to deliver fantastic performances laced with excitement. On Sunday, he was electric around goal early, swooping on a forward-half stoppage to kick a first-quarter goal. In the final term, he flew for a thrilling pack mark on the shoulders of Jeremy McGovern. You never know what to expect when you go to the football to watch Bolton, but you always know you will be entertained. 

WEST COAST     1.1    2.5     6.8       8.12 (60)
RICHMOND       2.6    5.9    10.13    14.14 (98)

GOALS
West Coast: Allen 3, B.Williams, Darling, Maric, Long, Duggan
Richmond: Pickett 2, Bolton 2, Martin 2, Taranto, Soldo, Ross, Riewoldt, Prestia, Miller, Baker, McIntosh

BEST
West Coast: Kelly, Sheed, Gaff, Barrass, Allen, Witherden
Richmond: Rioli, Balta, Taranto, Soldo, Bolton, Martin  

INJURIES
West Coast: Ginbey (hamstring)  
Richmond: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Andrew Gaff (replaced Reuben Ginbey in the first quarter) 
Richmond: Hugo Ralphsmith (replaced Maurice Rioli Jnr in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 40,501 at Optus Stadium